PATRICK MOTORPORTS 914FWSB SHIFT ROD BEARING, Who's using these?, Easy to install? Options

[euro911]

As some of you may know, my '75 (aka The 'BB') was butchered by a previous owner. The car had a tail-shift transaxle in when I acquired it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mad.gif)

Even though we converted the car back to the correct side-shift transaxle, there is a shift-rod pivot assembly from an early [tail-shift] car riveted to the firewall. To make matters worse, it isn't even square (not installed quite 90 degrees to the firewall). I was able to bend it somewhat and its straighter than it was, but I still can't install an OEM side-shift type of rubber shift-joint cover on it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Since the drive train is still out, I'm thinking of drilling out the rivets, removing the incorrect shift-rod pivot assembly and installing a PMP shift rod bearing.




1. It looks like the PMP bearing will accept the OEM side-shift shift-joint cover, but PMP's ad doesn't mention anything about it,
... so I thought to ask here, if that is true?

2. How is this bearing installed? (it appears to bolt in) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

3. Do you guys shave the OEM shfit rod down to the correct OD to fit the bearing's ID, or just purchase one of PMP's special shift rods? (PART#PMP914RSR)

[euro911]

I know the early cars ('70~'72) that had tail-shifters had a larger diameter rod. When we installed a side-shift transaxle in this particular car, I purchased one of those special 'conversion' firewall bushings from GPR.

I guess maybe my question was a little corn-fusing - I was wondering if any year from '73 through '76 possibly had a shift rod made from a solid bar from end to end (no hollow tube section in the middle)?


I'm just another CSOB, so I was leaning toward the Patrick style of bearing ($25 from Speedway Motors), however, either one requires the shift rod be turned down to .743" (18.87mm).

The hollow tube section is 20mm outside diameter and the tubing appears to only be about 1mm thick. There's just no way this shift rod can be turned down to that dimension.

Since I can't modify the shift rod I have, I may end up going with one of your bearings, Chris ...

[ChrisFoley]

I guess maybe my question was a little corn-fusing - I was wondering if any year from '73 through '76 possibly had a shift rod made from a solid bar from end to end (no hollow tube section in the middle)?

I read your earlier question too quickly I guess.
The answer is no. All the sideshift cars used the exact same shift rod assembly.
I agree that turning down the shift rod isn't a great choice.

My firewall bearing came about because at my shop we have installed both Patrick's and the nla JWest shift bearing products.
All products are a compromise between cost, convenience and functionality, and I didn't like the balance of those 3 factors with either of those products.

We use a cheaper spherical bearing made of plastic - that way we can machine it so you don't have to modify the shift rod.
We use a different support frame - one that mounts on the firewall easily so you don't have to modify it, and the rubber boot over the knuckle still attaches to the firewall flange.
(BTW, there's a simple mod for early cars converted to sideshift so the boot will attach to the firewall.)

Someday the plastic bearing will probably wear out.
We'll have replacements at a very reasonable price, not much more than the price of a standard oem style replacement bushing. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)